Filmmaker Anant Singh has denied that he forced his latest film’s way into the coveted opening night slot at next month’s prestigious Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).

Singh was responding to claims in an open letter by Sarah Dawson‚ who quit as manager of the country’s longest-running film festival citing interference by Singh and University of KwaZulu-Natal deputy vice-chancellor Cheryl Potgieter. UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) manages the annual festival.

Dawson wrote that there was intense debate over whether or not the award-winning Shepherds and Butchers – an often graphic film which tackles the controversial topic of the 4‚000 hangings that took place under the Apartheid government‚ from the perspective of a white hangman – should open the festival on June 16 because of the graphic and “triggering” nature of its content.

“The decision was in consideration of the idea that imposing the film upon a diverse audience‚ many of whom are compelled professionally to be present and who might be unprepared for images of violence upon black bodies within the context of a narrative elaboration of a white man’s trauma‚ had the potential to be overwhelmingly emotionally distressing‚” she wrote.

However‚ she said the debate no longer mattered because Shepherds and Butchers was “unilaterally confirmed” as the opening night film by Potgieter “in direct discussion with Anant Singh whose company Videovision has direct financial interests in the film”.

Dawson described this as being “simultaneously neglectful‚ anti-democratic and meddling”‚ and caused her to leave her post on May 5.

But Singh on Friday denied these claims. While he admitted that he wanted to “get the best for our films”‚ he said he never put undue pressure on the CCA or on the DIFF organisers. While he did email Dawson – copying Potgieter and other UKZN officials in the letter – to question the decision‚ he denied this was an attempt to force the issue.

“At no point did I ask‚ or force the action‚ to secure the opening night. This is a position that every filmmaker desires but should remain at an arm’s length in the selection process. In my 30-year association with DIFF‚ I have always respected their decisions and never at any time tried to bring my influence to bear‚” he said.

Singh said he did not agree with Dawson’s claims that the film’s material was not appropriate for opening night‚ arguing that the festival had in the past opened with “films that are far more graphic and controversial”.

“I felt it insulting to the creative process and our ability to tell stories‚ and found this view stifling‚ which was unexpected‚ especially from the film festival‚” he wrote.

Singh has suggested an independent panel should be established to determine which film should be flighted in the prestigious opening night slot.

UKZN spokesman Lesiba Seshoka has also denied any undue influence in the decision to flight Shepherds and Butchers on opening night.

“Among other reasons‚ the film was chosen because it seeks to educate‚ is a relevant reflection on South African history‚ and deals with the socially relevant and contested issue of the death penalty and its effects and consequences‚” said Seshoka.

He said it was surprising that Dawson found the film to be unsuitable.